Hey guys! Ready for a new adventure? I'll just bet you are! Okay, I'll stop. Uh, let me know what you think, I hope you like it. Open to constructive criticism. In fact, I appreciate it. I APPRECIATE YOU! (little humor there for those of you who have played The Legend of Zelda; The Windwaker. Just started Phantom Hourglass. Anyone else like it so far?) Okay, onto the legal bit
DISCLAIMER: I do not own FFX or FFX-2. I have no affiliation with Square Enix
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Yuna stared at Tidus. He was disappearing. She shook her head.
"Yuna, I…I need to go. Sorry I couldn't show you Zanarkand." He said and began to walk away.
"Whoa." Wakka said.
"We'll see you again!" Rikku called after him. A giant swell of emotion overtook Yuna and she chased after him.
She heard Kimahri call, "Yuna!" but she didn't listen. He turned to take her in his arms but she went right through him. More pyreflies flew into the air and Tidus turned a bluish-green color. Yuna lay on the ground, tears falling fro her eyes. Wakka and Rikku stood there, jaws hanging open and Yuna stood. Facing away from him, she said quietly,
"I love you"
He turned to her and carefully wrapped his arms around her. He then walked through her and dove off the ship.
"Tidus!" Yuna sat up, breathing hard. She had that dream again.
"Yunie?"
Yuna looked around to see Paine and Rikku staring at her, Rikku with pain and worry and Paine with confusion.
"I'm…I'm fine." Yuna said.
She'd been reliving that moment in her dreams ever since they'd destroyed Vegnagun. Ever since they had defeated Shuyin. They looked painfully alike.
"We'll be in Besaid in about five minutes." Paine said finally.
"Okay…I'm going onto the deck for a while." Yuna said.
"You want me to come with you?" Rikku asked.
"No…I'll be fine." Yuna promised.
She entered the lift and rode to the deck. She stepped out, the wind whipping her hair and clothes madly. She could see Besaid beach off in the distance. She felt a sudden rush of anger. Everything he'd promised her. He lied. He knew he was going to leave her! She dropped to her knees and hit the deck with all the strength she could muster.
"Why!!! Why did you leave me? You promised me you'd always be here. You promised." She screamed. She let out a sob and dropped her head. That's when she heard it low, but clear. A sharp whistle. Her heart stopped for a second. Had that really happened? She raced to the lift. It had really happened. It had.
"Down, Down!" she urged it.
After what seemed like an eternity the lift stopped at the bridge. She scaled the stair banister and looked out the window. The Celsius was just above Besaid's waters.
"Open the hatch, Buddy!" she yelled.
"Yuna we're not fully land…"
"Open the hatch!" she screamed.
"Okay!" he flipped the switch and it opened. She half ran, half slid down it and as soon as she hit the water she ran towards him, throwing herself into his arms.
"Are you real?" she whispered.
"I…think so."
Her stomach clenched. What if it wasn't really him? She pulled back and looked at him.
"Do I pass?" he asked.
She hugged him again.
"You're home." She said.
"I'm home." He echoed.
The Celsius landed behind them and the hatch opened. Paine and Rikku appeared on it. Paine looked calmly at the scene but Rikku let out a delighted giggle.
"Who's he?" Paine muttered to Rikku.
"He is Tidus. Former guardian and Yuna's daily obsession, the entire reason Yunie became a sphere hunter." Rikku said.
"Oh, so he's Shuyins look alike?" she asked.
"Exactly." Rikku said.
"Hey! Get a room you two!" Wakka, Tidus's best friend/fellow guardian called.
All of the villagers of Besaid were assembled on the beach.
"Who asked you to watch Wakka?" Tidus yelled.
Wakka laughed and Lulu looked toward them and smiled, Vidina in her arms.
Tidus took Yuna's hand and they began to run towards the beach. Yuna sped up, passing Tidus. Startled he tripped slightly.
"You've changed." He said, regaining himself.
"Well, you've missed a few things." Yuna said.
"I want to hear everything!"
"Well, it all started when I saw this sphere of you…at least…it looked like you." She said.
They reached the beach where they were swarmed by Wakka, Lulu, and the Aurochs.
"Hey Brudda! We thought you were gone for good, ya?" said Wakka, grabbing him around the neck in a chokehold and rubbing his fist in his hair.
"I thought so too." Tidus said, pulling away.
"Well, welcome back Tidus." Said Lulu.
"Aw, and I thought you didn't like me." Tidus smiled.
"I was more or less worried of what you were doing to our summoner's pilgrimage." Lulu said.
Just then, Rikku ran up and hugged him.
"Hello Rikku." He said, laughing.
"It's kind of strange, huh? Every time I come to Spira I'm in the water and you are one of the first people I meet." He said.
"Amazing, that." She said.
"We're gonna head back, but if I know you you're hungry. There'll be something when you come down." Wakka said.
Tidus grinned.
The beach cleared out quickly, until only Tidus, Rikku, Yuna, and Paine remained.
"You know, Rikku, I think we should go check and see if Buddy and Brother need any help on the Celsius." Paine said.
"Oh, they're fine." Rikku said.
"Come on." Paine said, grabbing her by her scarf and pulling her away.
"Well, Rikku's the same as ever." Tidus said.
"You, on the other hand, seem very different. You've changed." He said.
"I feel different. I've been through so much in the last two years it almost rivals my pilgrimage." She said.
"Wow." He said, sitting on the sand.
"So what have you been up to?" He asked, laying back.
"Well, I returned here to Besaid until one day Rikku showed up. She said she had a sphere to show me." Yuna pulled out a sphere and played it. It showed a man in a cage. He kept yelling about a war and seeing a summoner.
"Well, I can see how you thought that was me." Tidus said.
"Yeah. Well, after that I figured I could find more of these spheres. I figured I could find you." She said. She continued her story until she reached the farplane.
"And Shuyin was there." She said.
"He was talking about looking for Lenne. He thought I was Lenne. But that's not even the strangest part…the strangest was…you were there." She said.
He smiled, lightly.
"What?" she asked.
"I remember that." he said, lightly.
"You do?" she asked.
"Yeah…I could feel your presence…and I knew something was wrong. I thought you had died. So I whistled."
"Yes. Nothing was making sense. Every answer brought on more questions and finally I couldn't take it anymore. I followed your advice."
"And what would that be?" he asked.
"I screamed…as loud as I could."
"What happened to laughing?" he asked.
"I'm no longer a summoner…I'm allowed to break down."
"Well, anyway, then it got dark. And I was all alone. Then, when I thought all hope was lost…I heard your whistle. I followed it, and it happened again. I asked, 'Where are you?' but all I got was another whistle and a glowing golden light. I followed it and it whistled again…. then I woke up underneath Bevelle. I think that was about the time I began to give up. I' never gone to the farplane before that, because I was so afraid I'd see you there." She admitted.
"As long as I wasn't sure you were there, I could hope. I could hope to see you again…at least one more time. I told myself I'd be content if I could just tell you I loved you, one more time. Now that I have you back…I know I was just fooling myself. I don't want to lose you again." Her eyes started to glitter with tears.
"Yuna…."
"No, I'm fine." She said,
She continued her story up until she met him again. The sun had begun to set and the water and sky looked like a painting. Yuna stood and walked the line of the water.
"Yuna…?"
"I'm worried. What if you disappear again? I love you…but I don't know if I could take waking up one morning and you just…being gone. Or even worse, watching you disappear."
"Yuna…"
"No! Tidus, I went through you! Right through you! That day still haunts my dreams! I can't do that again! I can't." the last word came out in a pitiful whisper.
"I don't now how I got here…or even why, but I am not leaving you. Not again. Nothing will take me away from you. Not even the Fayth themselves." He said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. She turned around in his arms to face him. The remains of tears glittered on her cheeks in the dimming sunlight. He lifted a hand and wiped the tears from her face. She leaned into his touch.
"You promise?" she whispered shakily.
"I promise." He whispered back.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He was surprised. The first and last time they'd kissed, he'd been the one to make the first move. She really was different. But he didn't want it to stop so he tightened his grip on her waist as she kissed him longer. When she pulled away, she rested her head against his chest and stared out into the water. They held onto each other, staring out into the distance until the sun disappeared below the water.
Celsius
"Aww, look at that Paine. Isn't it cute?" Rikku asked, staring out the window of the Celsius.
Paine walked over to the window to overlook the scene. Yuna and the man…(Tidus? Yeah, Tidus) were locked in an embrace and they stared out into the water, completely oblivious to everything around them.
"Isn't it sooo romantic?" Rikku giggled.
"Yeah, it kind of is." Paine agreed.
Her heart stung.
I could have had this. If I wasn't so stubborn, I could have this. Or at least have a chance…but I can't even tell him.
"What's romantic?" Buddy asked, entering the room.
"Look." Paine said, moving slightly so he could see.
"Cute. Who is he? Looks kind of familiar." Buddy said.
"I'm not telling. Ask Yunie." Rikku said.
"Paine?" Buddy asked.
"It really is Yuna's story to tell." Paine said.
"Argh, I swear Paine, Rikku is rubbing off on you." Buddy said
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rikku asked, shoving him.
"Nothing, nothing." Buddy grinned.
"Just give all of us a favor?" Paine said.
"What?" Buddy asked.
"Don't tell Brother." Paine said.
"Yeah, that would probably be for the best." Buddy agreed.
Rikku looked back and forth between the two.
"What? Why not?" she asked.
"Just…don't Rikku. It won't be pretty. Take my word for it." She said.
"Okay, fine. Lets head back to Besaid. We can probably slip by without them noticing." Rikku said.
"Okay, just try not to disturb them. Yuna looks…happy."
Besaid Beach
"We should probably go before someone sends a search party." Yuna said, leaning her forehead against Tidus's.
"Let them send one." Tidus groaned.
Yuna laughed and pressed her lips to his again. It all seemed incredibly perfect. The night was warm with a light breeze. The sky was pitch black, glittering with millions of stars. The water sloshed quietly, lapping their feet lightly. They held onto each other, kissing forcefully, but also passionately. Yuna slid her hand up and rested it on his chest. He put his hand over hers and held it. She leaned against him, completely drunken by his touch. Tidus's head suddenly jerked away and he fell over. A Blitzball rolled away. They heard Wakka's laughter. Tidus rubbed his head angrily.
"You've been taking forever, kiddos. Lu sent me out to look for you." He said, still laughing.
"Did you have to hit me with the Blitzball?" Tidus grumbled.
"Yeah. I haven't done it for two years. You're long overdue, ya? Besides, It's fun." He laughed.
Yuna tried and failed to stifle her giggles.
"Oh thanks." Tidus grumbled.
Yuna smiled.
"For being the 'Star Player of the Zanarkand Abes' you sure didn't stop that ball, ya?" Wakka laughed as they walked.
"Well, sorry, I was a bit preoccupied." Tidus said.
"Ya, no kidding. I noticed." Wakka said.
Yuna blushed.
A giant bonfire burned in the middle of the village. All the people of Besaid were gathered around it. Yuna intertwined her fingers with Tidus's as they entered the village.
"We were wondering where you'd gotten to." Lulu said, "What took so long?"
"Trust me, you don't want to know." Wakka said.
"You gonna join the Aurochs again?" Keepa asked.
"Sorry guys, I've given up Blitz." Tidus shrugged.
"What!!!" they exclaimed. They included Yuna and Wakka.
"I just…don't Blitz anymore. Not professionally at least. It's what I did for my entire life, what my father did before me…I feel like it's time to broaden my horizons. Do something else with my life." He said.
"Strong words for a nineteen year old. Strong words for you. I'm afraid I've under-estimated you, Tidus." Lulu said, shaking her head.
"Actually, I'm twenty...and I'll take that as a compliment." Tidus said.
Lulu rolled her eyes at the age comment.
"Well, eat, drink, be merry and what not!" Wakka said.
They stayed by the fire for hours talking, dancing, laughing and sharing memories.
"Oh no! One of the funniest parts was in Luca. We were getting ready to go across the Mi'ihen highroad, and Tidus and Sir Auron had just become Yuna's guardians. Well, Tidus and Yuna were talking away from everyone, ya? Out of nowhere, Tidus starts making these big 'Ha's' like, maniac laughter. Then, Yuna started doing it too! Then, just as randomly as it started, it stopped. They spoke for a couple more seconds, then asked what we were looking at, like they hadn't just been acting crazy." Wakka said. They all laughed.
"Well, there is an explanation behind it, of course." Tidus said.
"Remember how I just randomly yelled in Kilika? Well, I was frustrated. In Luca, I had been frustrated as well and Yuna suggested that I laugh instead of yell. Easier said then done. Well, I tried at first, but when Yuna said I should probably stop, I did it just to make her laugh. I was amazed when she joined me. Then we just laughed. So really, it was more of a therapy thing." Tidus laughed.
"So what were you talking about afterward?" Rikku pushed.
Tidus and Yuna exchanged a small glance, then, Tidus put his fingers to his lips and let out an earsplitting whistle. Neither of them said anything.
"You think that was bad, you should've seen Rikku in the Thunder Plains." Tidus said.
"Hey!" Rikku exclaimed.
"No seriously, it was hilarious. I don't think I've ever seen anyone jump so high in my life. Ever." Tidus said.
The villagers laughed.
"Really, she convinced Auron…" Rikku let out a small yelp and jumped up.
"What's wrong?" Yuna asked.
"Oh…nothing. I'm fine." Rikku said, sitting again.
"She convinced Auron to stop at the travel agency. 'Until the thunder stops' they had to explain to her that it never stopped thundering in the thunder plains." Tidus laughed.
"Yeah, well, I'm not scared anymore!" Rikku declared, but she had a small twinkle of …(sadness?)… In her eye. When Tidus glanced back, though, it was gone.
Slowly people began to drift away until it was only the Gullwings, Tidus, Wakka, and Lulu there.
"Well, we should be getting to bed, ya?" Wakka said, "You need somewhere to stay, Tidus?"
"No, he can stay with us. There is room on the Celsius." Yuna said.
Wakka laughed while Lulu raised an eyebrow.
"Well, behave Kiddos. Don't do anything I wouldn't." he said.
"That doesn't give us much restriction, does it?" Tidus asked.
"Why, you!" Wakka threw his Blitzball at him.
In the next second, Tidus flipped backward, turning as he did so and kicked the ball forcefully back at Wakka. Wakka caught it with an "oof".
Tidus grinned.
"Star Player. Remember that old man." He laughed.
With that, they set off toward the Celsius.
When they reached the Celsius they rode to the bridge to inform Buddy of their return.
"Hello, we're back!" Yuna called.
"Hel…oh, who is this?" Buddy asked.
"This is Tidus. A former guardian of mine." Yuna said.
Buddy looked them over with a grin, and his eyes stopped at their clasped hands.
"Looks like more then a former guardian to me." He said.
"Hey!" Tidus said suddenly.
"I remember you! You were on Cid's airship, two years ago."
"See Yuna, he remembers me." Buddy said.
Yuna laughed.
"Sorry."
"It's good you're back though. Brother would not shut up. I had to knock him out. He was like, "Where is Yuna, is Yuna okay? When is Yuna coming back?" Buddy imitated Brother's voice perfectly.
"Sorry, had a lot to catch up on." Yuna said.
"We're going to go to sleep now, good night everyone." Yuna said.
"Behave." Buddy called after them.
"That's what Wakka said!" Yuna called back.
Later, as they lay together, Yuna wrapped in Tidus's arms, her head resting against his chest, Tidus spoke quietly.
"Yuna?" he said.
"Yes?"
"I will always be your guardian." He said.
"I'm glad." She said.
After a couple moments of silence she whispered.
"Tidus?"
"Hmm?"
"You'll still be here in the morning?"
"I won't leave you." He whispered.
She snuggled closer to him, closing any distance that may have been between them. She buried her face in his chest and a mix of his scent, the warmth of his body heat, and the reassurance that he was there, holding onto her, lulled her to sleep. That night, while she revisited her memories, she didn't dream of that horrible day when Tidus disappeared. Instead, she dreamt of that wonderful night…in the Macalania Woods.
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